From farm to fork: building sustainability awareness among children during World Food Day
This autumn, more than 300 fourth-graders embarked on the Green Discovery Marathon, an engaging educational journey dedicated to World Food Day. “Mom, the soil is alive. It can breathe!” Children’s discoveries marked the beginning of a large-scale initiative conducted simultaneously across four provinces of the country. Children from the Chui, Osh, Jalal-Abad, and Talas actively participated in the project.
From October 13 to 24, two weeks of hands-on activities encouraged children to rethink what they know about food and where it comes from. Beyond learning theory, they planted seeds, cared for seedlings, and carried out simple experiments, experiencing firsthand the roles of both attentive gardeners and responsible consumers. The 2025 World Food Day theme, Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future, was brought to life through the collaborative efforts of schoolchildren, teachers, and parents for achieving a common goal.
What was this marathon all about?
Children followed the entire journey our food takes, from a tiny seed to the fresh herbs on a plate. The organizers — the Ministry of Education of the Kyrgyz Republic, the United Nations World Food Programme, and the Russian Social and Industrial Foodservice Institute (SIFI) — placed a strong emphasis on practical learning. Traditional lectures were replaced with experiments, challenges, and team-based tasks.
Of course, the marathon began with parent meetings. Adults also needed to understand the purpose of the activities and how they could support their children.
Day One: getting to know the soil that feeds us
The marathon opened with the theme Soil that Feeds Us. Children were surprised to discover that soil is alive and “breathes.” They conducted simple experiments, watching air bubbles rise in a jar of water, and took on the role of “soil doctors” while examining different soil samples.
The highlight of the day was creating a collective Tree of Promises. Each child wrote a personal pledge to protect the planet on a small leaf-shaped note: “I will turn off the water while brushing my teeth,” “I will keep the environment clean,” and many others. These notes were gathered into one large tree that became a symbol of shared responsibility.
Days Two and Three: the magic of a seed growing into a seedling
If the first day focused more on theory, the following days were all about practice. With great excitement, children planted dill and parsley seeds and transplanted flower seedlings. They prepared the soil, made planting holes, and carefully watered their mini-gardens.
For many, it was their first time planting something on their own. Seeing how their hands could start a new life felt like real magic. During the days that followed, children took turns caring for their seedlings: checking soil moisture, loosening the earth, and eagerly waiting for the first sprouts to appear. Teachers noted how much more attentive and responsible the children became.
From Farm to Fork Festival: celebration everyone remembered
The marathon concluded with a festive event that left a lasting impression on all participants. A lively performance, The Journey of a Grain, featured children playing the roles of Soil, Water, Sun, Bee, and Cook, showing how interconnected everything in nature is.
The highlight of the celebration was an interactive quest with six educational stations, where teams demonstrated how smart they are:
The children were not just having fun. They applied to practice what they had learned over the previous two weeks, while parents and teachers enjoyed their enthusiasm and genuine engagement.
The festival concluded with the creation of a large collective art piece titled Green Planet. Children assembled it like a puzzle, combining their individual drawings and the promises taken from the Tree of Promises.
What was the outcome?
The most compelling evidence of the marathon’s success came from parents’ feedback. Families began to notice real changes both in children’s behavior and in their attitude toward the world around them. “After the marathon, our kids became true eco-ambassadors at home,” a parent from Osh province shared with a smile. “Now they remind us: don’t throw away that bag, don’t waste bread, sort the trash properly.”
The impact proved to be more than the adoption of new eco-friendly habits. Many adults noted that their children became more confident. “They didn’t just memorize facts about nature,” another parent explained. “They learned to express their thoughts clearly, speak in front of their classmates, and defend their point of view.” These changes, both practical and personal, show that the marathon achieved its main goal: helping children develop a more mindful attitude toward the environment and a sense of responsibility for our planet.
It’s only the beginning
The importance of such initiatives goes far beyond a one-time event. They help build the foundations of sustainable development. Just as a seed grows into a tree, the consistent efforts of children and adults create the basis for a new culture of consumption.
Schoolchildren play a particularly important role in this process, becoming active contributors to change. Joint efforts across generations create an environment where a tiny windowsill garden in a classroom can spark meaningful positive transformation.
This autumn, more than 300 fourth-graders embarked on the Green Discovery Marathon, an engaging educational journey dedicated to World Food Day. “Mom, the soil is alive. It can breathe!” Children’s discoveries marked the beginning of a large-scale initiative conducted simultaneously across four provinces of the country. Children from the Chui, Osh, Jalal-Abad, and Talas actively participated in the project.
From October 13 to 24, two weeks of hands-on activities encouraged children to rethink what they know about food and where it comes from. Beyond learning theory, they planted seeds, cared for seedlings, and carried out simple experiments, experiencing firsthand the roles of both attentive gardeners and responsible consumers. The 2025 World Food Day theme, Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future, was brought to life through the collaborative efforts of schoolchildren, teachers, and parents for achieving a common goal.
What was this marathon all about?
Children followed the entire journey our food takes, from a tiny seed to the fresh herbs on a plate. The organizers — the Ministry of Education of the Kyrgyz Republic, the United Nations World Food Programme, and the Russian Social and Industrial Foodservice Institute (SIFI) — placed a strong emphasis on practical learning. Traditional lectures were replaced with experiments, challenges, and team-based tasks.
Of course, the marathon began with parent meetings. Adults also needed to understand the purpose of the activities and how they could support their children.
Day One: getting to know the soil that feeds us
The marathon opened with the theme Soil that Feeds Us. Children were surprised to discover that soil is alive and “breathes.” They conducted simple experiments, watching air bubbles rise in a jar of water, and took on the role of “soil doctors” while examining different soil samples.
The highlight of the day was creating a collective Tree of Promises. Each child wrote a personal pledge to protect the planet on a small leaf-shaped note: “I will turn off the water while brushing my teeth,” “I will keep the environment clean,” and many others. These notes were gathered into one large tree that became a symbol of shared responsibility.
Days Two and Three: the magic of a seed growing into a seedling
If the first day focused more on theory, the following days were all about practice. With great excitement, children planted dill and parsley seeds and transplanted flower seedlings. They prepared the soil, made planting holes, and carefully watered their mini-gardens.
For many, it was their first time planting something on their own. Seeing how their hands could start a new life felt like real magic. During the days that followed, children took turns caring for their seedlings: checking soil moisture, loosening the earth, and eagerly waiting for the first sprouts to appear. Teachers noted how much more attentive and responsible the children became.
From Farm to Fork Festival: celebration everyone remembered
The marathon concluded with a festive event that left a lasting impression on all participants. A lively performance, The Journey of a Grain, featured children playing the roles of Soil, Water, Sun, Bee, and Cook, showing how interconnected everything in nature is.
The highlight of the celebration was an interactive quest with six educational stations, where teams demonstrated how smart they are:
- At the Natural Filter station, students purified water using layers of soil.
- In the Seed Workshop, they identified which plants grow from different seeds.
- At the Green Rescuers station, they distinguished useful insects from harmful ones.
The children were not just having fun. They applied to practice what they had learned over the previous two weeks, while parents and teachers enjoyed their enthusiasm and genuine engagement.
The festival concluded with the creation of a large collective art piece titled Green Planet. Children assembled it like a puzzle, combining their individual drawings and the promises taken from the Tree of Promises.
What was the outcome?
The most compelling evidence of the marathon’s success came from parents’ feedback. Families began to notice real changes both in children’s behavior and in their attitude toward the world around them. “After the marathon, our kids became true eco-ambassadors at home,” a parent from Osh province shared with a smile. “Now they remind us: don’t throw away that bag, don’t waste bread, sort the trash properly.”
The impact proved to be more than the adoption of new eco-friendly habits. Many adults noted that their children became more confident. “They didn’t just memorize facts about nature,” another parent explained. “They learned to express their thoughts clearly, speak in front of their classmates, and defend their point of view.” These changes, both practical and personal, show that the marathon achieved its main goal: helping children develop a more mindful attitude toward the environment and a sense of responsibility for our planet.
It’s only the beginning
The importance of such initiatives goes far beyond a one-time event. They help build the foundations of sustainable development. Just as a seed grows into a tree, the consistent efforts of children and adults create the basis for a new culture of consumption.
Schoolchildren play a particularly important role in this process, becoming active contributors to change. Joint efforts across generations create an environment where a tiny windowsill garden in a classroom can spark meaningful positive transformation.